Wide shot of boardwalk at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

The wetlands of Sungei Buloh are a dream come true for keen nature lovers. At this sprawling 87-hectare ecological site, you can catch migratory birds escaping the cold on their way to the warmer climes of Australia–with some having come as far away as Siberia.

Elsewhere, crabs, mudskippers and mud lobsters can be found in their natural habitats, and viewed from a distance at observation posts that dot the park.

Wide shot of migratory bird at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

The Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is a world-class eco-tourism experience first discovered in 1986 by a group of birdwatchers from the Malayan Nature Society.

Three years later, the site was designated as a nature park by the government in 1989, and officially opened in 1993. To properly experience the wetlands, you can take the free guided tours, while activities like art classes and a prawn farming demonstration will keep you busy the whole day.

If you want to take a break from the concrete jungle of the city, head to this ecological gem in the north-east of Singapore for a breath of fresh air.